Game Preview and How to Watch: Colorado Rapids at San Jose Earthquakes

The Colorado Rapids head west to take on the San Jose Earthquakes tonight in Avaya Stadium. With an overall record of 8-17-8 in San Jose, the Rapids must improve on last week’s draw against Sporting Kansas City if they have any hope of reaching the playoffs.

Both the Rapids and Quakes are sitting below the playoff line in 10th and 11th place respectively. They each have just 8 points on the season (1.14 points per game) and a 2-3-2 record. On paper, these two teams seem fairly the same: They have new-ish coaches who are still figuring out their team, while the rosters are filled with guys who have something to prove. (Read more about San Jose in Downstream here.)

In a recent interview, Head Coach Robin Fraser had some good things to say about DP Younes Namli and homegrown Cole Bassett, who scored last week’s lone Rapids goal.

The big question, though, is still on the defense. When might Rapids nation see the up-and-coming defender Auston Trusty? Sam Vines has earned his spot and Keegan Rosenberry has been solid since returning to the lineup from his brief absence ahead of the MLS is Back Tournament. The question with the leaky defense is finding the right paring for Lalas Abubakar. Danny Wilson was quite solid last week, showing glimpses of the centerback he was over a decade ago.

Despite showing some impressive form in the MLS is Back Tournament, San Jose is on a 3-game losing streak—they haven’t won a game since beating Real Salt Lake on July 27th in Orlando. The killer instinct that many Rapids’ teams have struggled to find must come out tonight if they want to gain some confidence as they approach the back half of the season.

Predicted Starting XI: William Yarbrough, Keegan Rosenberry, Danny Wilson, Lalas Abubakar, Sam Vines, Jack Price, Kellyn Acosta, Cole Bassett, Diego Rubio, Younes Namli, Kei Kamara

Officials

Referee: Kevin Stott

Assistant Referees: TJ Zablocki, Art Arustamyan

4th Official: Elijio Arreguin

VAR: Ramy Touchan

Colorado

OUT: Kortne Ford (knee)

QUESTIONABLE: N/A

Suspended: none

Suspended after next caution: none

San Jose

OUT: None

QUESTIONABLE: N/A

Suspended: none

Suspended after next caution: none

How to Watch

Match Date/Time: Saturday, September 5, 2020, 8:30 p.m. MT

Venue: Avaya Stadium — San Jose, California

TV Information: Altitude on DirecTV or streaming with AT&T

Radio Information: AM 950

Live Stream: ESPN+ (subscription required, must be outside of the region)*

Watch Party: Celtic on Market, Frolic Brewing Company (Westminster), Blue Spruce Brewing (Highlands Ranch)

Second Screen Virtual Gameday: https://www.coloradorapids.com/live
Guests: Jean Phillipe Peguero (first half), Kortne Ford (second half)

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